Many courses offered by ßÙßÇÂþ» Adult Learning attract government funding allocated by the Department for Education (DfE). These courses may be fully funded by government funding or subsidised (known as co-funded) by government funding.
To be considered eligible for enrolment on courses that attract government funding, learners must meet eligibility criteria:
- Adults aged 19 or over on 31 August 2025 - Free for adults aged 19 or over on the 31 August 2025 who meet the following eligibility criteria
- You must be able to easily travel to an agreed ßÙßÇÂþ» Adult Learning centre to sit exams/assessments where applicable
- United Kingdom (UK) nationals - Who currently live in England and have been resident in the UK for at least three full years prior to starting their course
- European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland nationals - Who currently live in England and have obtained either pre-settled or settled status under the EU settlement scheme and have lived continuously in the EEA, Switzerland, Gibraltar or the UK for at least the three full years prior to starting their course
- Other non-UK Nationals - Who currently live in England and have obtained either pre-settled or settled status under the European Union (EU) settlement scheme and have lived continuously in the EEA, Switzerland, Gibraltar or UK for at least the three full years prior to starting their course.
- Asylum seekers - Who have lived in the UK for 6 months or longer while their claim is being considered by the Home Office.
Learners must be resident in England aged 19 or over on 31 August 2025 and not fall into the following 5 exemptions:
- those who are here without authority or lawful status
- those who are resident in the UK on a student or graduate visa
- those who are in the UK on holiday, with or without a visa
- those who are in the UK on a sponsorship visa, including skilled worker visas and seasonal worker visas
- those whose biometric residence permit or residence permit imposes a study prohibition or restriction on the individual
Dependants of all individuals with sponsorship visa status, with the exception of seasonal workers, are eligible for Adult Skills Funding (ASF) funding.
Other exemptions may apply.
Depending upon your circumstances, we will need to see ID and proof of your immigration status, and for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses, we will need to see receipt of benefits and income when you enrol.
If you are not eligible for a free course under the above criteria, you may need to pay a fee. For more information and advice please email: adultskills@surreycc.gov.uk